25tH July 2017, Kuala Lumpur –Academy Science Malaysia (ASM) hosted their 25th Idea Exchange session concurrently with their Raya Gathering. Eight members of EcoKnights were invited to the ASM Idea Exchange session to gain knowledge on bee-keeping. Experts in the field of Stingless Honey Bees, Dr Tim Heard from Australia and Dr Cristiano Menezes from Brazil, shared their experience and thoughts on these amazing and peculiar creatures.

Dr Tim Heard stated that bee keeping in an artificial hive is a more sustainable way of commercially extracting honey and also without disturbing the natural habitat of the stingless honeybees or also known as sugar bag bees. He also stated that with proper management the hive could survive years in the box.

These bees aid in the cross pollination, thus increasing the production of crops as stated by Dr Cristiano Menezes. He also briefly explained the concept of stingless bee keeping in an artificial hive, where the box the functions as the artificial hive for the bees is layered with two sections. A small part of the hive is removed and placed in a new two-layered box, where the bees will adapt to build a new colony.

The artificial hive or box bee keeping, might take some time for the bees to adapt but it appears to be a sustainable way of extracting the honey without destroying the hive. Stingless bees are harmless and pose no threat to people or animals. One of the perks of these friendly creatures is their efficiency in playing the role as pollinators for some crops. Not only that, they adapt well in tropical conditions and the honey they produce is known to be unique in terms of their taste, colour, viscosity and medicinal value.

We would like to express our deepest gratitude to ASM for making us part of this informative talk and gathering.